A/N: Hi everyone! I'm starting to get back into the groove of this story. Thank you to my newest reviewers: Crystal-Wolf-Gaurdain-967, Totally Team Derek Hale, and Eve of Faith. I hope you enjoy this next chapter!

Some boys, take a beautiful girl

Oh, and they hide her away from the rest of the world

Well not me

I wanna be the one in the sun

Girls they, wanna have fun

Oh, girls they

It's all they really want

- Girls Wanna Have Fun (Glee Cast Version), Finn Hudson

Chapter 16

My body woke itself up; thinking ahead like it was a normal school day. Which means I was snapped out of my dreams at the frightfully early hour of 6 o'clock. The rush of the hangover hit me almost immediately. I groaned, curling back up against the sheets in the fetal position. A headache was the worst pain in the world, but I still drank anyways. Maybe there's a bit of a disconnect here. But there was one good thing about waking up in this bed.

I slid from under the down comforter, padding over to the wall of windows on the opposite side of the room. The sun shines brightly, trying to cast warmth and light on the frigidness of the steel buildings. I watch the people. To peer into their lives, if only for this short span of time, is a wonder. Half of the city sleeps, yet activity has already begun down below. The city will gradually be restored to its usual vibrancy. But for now, all is calm.

This is why I drink here. So I can wake up to the view.

This is how I sit for a while, just staring at the scene before me. Bo eventually walks in, only in his boxers. He starts rifling through the dresser, "Enjoying the view?"

I smiled, "Just the one out there."

He looked out at the people, "Ah yes. You don't love me, just the scene out my windows."

"You're exactly right." He shot me a fake hurt look. "Oh my God, Bo." I tiptoed over to him, wrapping my arms around his waist from behind. "You know I love you. The view is just . . . a perk, that's all."

"I'm going to choose to believe you." He leaned his head against mine, which was now on his shoulder. "For the time being. Now undo your hands so I can clothe myself. Although, if you like me better this way . . .?"

I shoved at his back, pushing him towards the bathroom. "Change."

"Okay, okay I'm going." He smiled to himself as he closed the door. "No need to be pushy."

I collapsed back down on the bed. My headache had gotten much worse. Strange, the pain had never been this bad before. It was like my brain was trying to force its way out of my skull. Suddenly, my club clothes felt constricting and tight. I shuffled over to the dresser and grabbed a tee and boxers. I jerked the shirt over my head, relishing the feel of soft cotton, and yanked on the plaid boxers.

I cracked open the door, checking to make sure his parents weren't up and about. Seeing no one, I quickly walked over to the cabinet, automatically knowing which shelf the Advil was stashed on. I grabbed the whole bottle, faintly remembering a glass of water being set on my table last night. I shoved two of the white pills down my throat, then chugged half of the water. I laid back down on the bed, getting lost in the whiteness of the ceiling. By then, Bo was back from changing.

"Hey, I think I'm ready to get back to the hotel. Can you drive me?" Bo has a Volvo S60 R, and I loved riding in it. So, hangover or no, he was going to take me back my family.

"Ugh, sure." He grabbed his key ring off the nightstand. "Let's go."

He zoomed over to the Hilton Garden Hotel, practically shoved me out of the car, and raced off. I guess he wanted his bed for himself; instead of wherever he woke up. I walked through the lobby as leisurely as can be, despite the fact that I only had boxer shorts for bottoms. I probably looked like hell, but I didn't care when I felt like it.

I got to the elevator before I realized that I had no idea what room we booked. I pulled out my cell phone, which, surprisingly, I had managed to keep throughout the wildness of the night before, and quickly dialed my sister.

"Hullo?" Her voice croaked.

"Hi, Abbey!" I lifted my voice to falsetto, adding a fake cheeriness to it.

"Shut up! I'm exhausted from that stupid plane ride. What do you want anyways?"

"What is our room number? I forgot."

"523. Now go away."

"Bye sis! Love you!"

"Mmm." And with that, she hung up.

I pressed to coordinating elevator button. I finally reached our door, and unceremoniously pounded on it with my fist.

It opened to my mom's face. "Long night?"

Over the years, I had gotten very good at disguising that gross hangover smell. She never notices.

I gave my customary answer. "Long but good. Do we have anything on tap for today?"

"Yes, I we're going over the Davis' house this afternoon. But other than that, nothing. I'm still trying to fight off jet-lag. Why?"

"I think I might head over to Davidson for the football game. Maybe meet up with some friends." I couldn't wait to visit my old school again. It's so easy to go back when the drama that goes down no longer affects you. When you always have a better place to go back to.

Somewhere like La Push.

But I pushed that to the back of my mind now. Behind the headache. Thinking about him would just bring on more pain. Like hangover wasn't bad enough.

Now that I was able to think relatively clearly, I theorized that my feeling crappy lately must be a result of the imprint. Because, if this . . . thing between us was as strong as Jake had made it out to be, then being separated for this long must take a toll on your physical self.

I could barely walk now, and I didn't know how much worse it would get. I could already feel myself being drawn back to him. I was this close to forgiving him. But I didn't want to forgive him. I didn't want to be one of those girls who immediately ran back to my boyfriend after every fight. I promised myself a long time ago that I would never lose myself or give up my dreams for a boy. Ever. And I wasn't about to forget that now.

I would let him grovel for a little bit longer, at least.

*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*

I had Jordan pick me up around 5 o'clock and we headed over to the school. Our grade has had a tailgate before every home game since freshman year. It was really good to see everyone again, to catch up on the two months' worth of gossip that I missed.

I looked around, taking in everything in the parking lot. I wish Evan was here; I really wanted to see him and apologize for last night, most of which I only vaguely remembered. I truly didn't mean to hurt him. I fucked up, I know, and that's why I so desperately needed him right now. Stupid me. He was probably already with the team, prepping for tonight's game.

I loved Friday night football. It's hard to describe. There is a kind-of . . . scent in the air that incited excitement. It's exhilarating. It's the culture I grew up in; it's a part of me.

So I lost myself in it, all of it. The only sound I heard was the temperamental crowd; the only smells I recognized were those of popcorn and freshly-cut grass. Every other sense, vanished.

I even let myself stare at a few guys on the field. Man, did their asses look ever-appealing.

The only way to forget, was to make myself numb to everything that was Jacob. I was determined to enjoy my vacation, and I'd be damned if I didn't.

As I was snuggled up in my standard-issue hotel sheets for the night, feeling oh-so-much better than the night before, I heard my mother mention a pow-wow.

Oh, crap.

I had completely forgotten. Every year since I was about 10, we attended the annual Cherokee Pow-Wow held at a local state park. My mom was close friends to one of the tribal dancers, and she enjoyed all of the Native American art on display.

Damn it, I could never escape him!

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